It’s our people that make the difference
Trade Marks
3aathornton.com
TeamworkWe operate in a friendly open
workspace with a positive, inclusiveworking environment. We encourage
participation and contributionfrom the entire team
Working
Client
Qu
ality and
with others
focused
Flex
ible
an
d
Pro
fessionalism
chan
ge o
rient
ated
Our Vision – To be your preferred Intellectual Property Firm
Our M
ission – To provide every client with a personalised, superior service that reflects
th
eir c
omm
erci
al n
eeds
.
CoreValues
MotivationDriven to provide the best
possible service because we arepassionate about our businessand engaging with our clients
CommitmentA genuine focus on client needsand success and committed to
professional excellence andtotal accountability
ReliabilityWe do what we say we
will do when we say we willdo it and deliver on ourpromise of providing a
high quality service
IntegrityRespect for each other and for
our clients’ commercial priorities.Trustworthy and aware of personal
and corporate responsibilities
FlexibilityAdaptable to our clients’changing requirements
ensuring we alwaysmeet expectations
InnovationPro-active, taking the
initiative and sharing ideasand best practice to find
the right solution
Our values
We are delighted to be involved with IP Inclusive, which is an organisation that promotes diversity and inclusion within the various IP professions. AA Thornton were among the first signatories to the IP Inclusive charter, which is part of our ongoing commitment to improving diversity and inclusion. We take an active lead in IP Inclusive, such as the project to promote careers in IP to schools and universities through the “Careers in Ideas” initiative.
3aathornton.com2 It’s our people that make the difference
About us
We are a leading firm of Intellectual Property (IP) professionals, including UK Chartered and European Patent Attorneys, UK Chartered and European Trade Mark Attorneys and IP Solicitors, based in London. We have been providing specialist advice and IP services to our clients since 1911 when the firm was founded by former president of The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA), Alfred Augustus Thornton.
Our UK Chartered and European trade mark attorneys advise on the protection, enforcement and commercialisation of trade marks, dispute avoidance and dispute resolution. We represent our clients before the UK Intellectual Property Office, the European Union Trade Mark Office and the World Intellectual Property Organisation. For all other countries throughout the world, we have an extensive network of reliable overseas trade mark attorney firms, which allows us to provide a consistent, quality service worldwide.
In addition to trade mark services, we provide services related to design rights, copyright and domain names, and have significant experience in prosecuting domain name complaints targeted at cyber-squatters. We are also involved in anti-counterfeiting measures and recordal of IP rights with customs authorities around the world. Working closely with our IP litigation team, we provide our clients with a complete, tailored service from initial research on availability of their IP for registration, through to its protection, commercialisation, policing and enforcement. We are delighted to have been consistently ranked by Legal 500 UK as a “Leading Firm”. Our IP professionals are regularly recommended in the World Trade Mark Review 1000 - The World’s Leading Trade Mark Professionals, Who’s Who Legal and Managing IP’s IPStars.
Our corporate vision is “To be your preferred Intellectual Property firm”, and we are committed to providing every client with a personalised and client focused service.
5aathornton.com4 It’s our people that make the difference
Jimmy Choo
Paul Smith
3 Telecoms
STA Travel Group
Our clients
Associated British Foods
Whistles
Primark
Merck KGaACalor Gas
Twinings
Phase Eight
Admiral Group
We manage substantial IP portfolios for our clients, requiring IP due diligence services, brand management and strategic advice, together with assistance in setting up and implementing IP licensing and ownership structures. Our strong relationships with our clients stem from working closely with their individuals and teams, with regular portfolio reviews and client visits. Our experience and client base spans a number of industry sectors including retail, fashion, food and beverage, automotive, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and we are proud to represent long established brands and household names.
Here is a selection of the clients we represent:
Meet the team
Vanessa Lawrence is a Partner and a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and European Trade Mark and Designs Attorney. Vanessa handles a wide range of UK and international trade mark cases, and works across various commercial sectors including fashion, food & beverage, travel and telecommunications.
Qualifications:• BSc Hons Science, Nottingham
University• MSc Intellectual Property Law, Queen
Mary College, University of London• UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney• European Trade Mark and Designs
Attorney
2016
“Vanessa Lawrence is ‘a true shining star’, who has ‘exceptional knowledge of trade marks’ and delivers ‘commercially sensible solutions in terms of results and budget’.”Legal 500
Vanessa LawrencePartner, Trade Mark Attorney
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Design Rights• Copyright• Domain Names• Customs/Anti-
counterfeiting
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Ian Gill is a Partner and a UK Chartered Patent and Trade Mark Attorney. Ian is also a European Patent, Trade Mark and Designs Attorney. Ian specialises in contentious and non-contentious issues relating to trade marks and designs and is also Partnership Chair.
Qualifications:• BEng Aeronautical Engineering, Bristol
University• MSc Intellectual Property Law, Queen
Mary College, University of London• UK Chartered Patent Attorney• European Patent Attorney• UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney• European Trade Mark and Designs
Attorney
2016
“Trademark and design pro Ian Gill has technical and tactical acumen in abundance”Legal 500
Ian GillPartner, Trade Mark Attorney
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Patents• Design Rights• Copyright
Rachel Havard is a Partner and a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and European Trade Mark and Designs Attorney. Rachel handles a wide range of UK and international trade mark cases, and has significant experience of clearing trade marks for use and registration, and in negotiating and drafting trade mark co-existence agreements. Her portfolio of clients covers a variety of sectors, including fashion retail, automotives and pharmaceuticals.
Qualifications:• LLB Hons Law, University of Glamorgan• UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney• European Trade Mark and Designs
Attorney
Rachel HavardPartner, Trade Mark Attorney
2016
“Rachel Havard is ‘very thorough’ and ‘recommended for her handling of a wide range of UK and international trade mark cases’.”Legal 500
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Design Rights• Copyright
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Geoff Hussey is a Partner and Solicitor whose practice areas are IP litigation, and commercial IP. His experience includes acting for a broad range of clients in many sectors including life sciences, electronics, telecoms, chemicals, aviation, food & beverages and financial services. Geoff’s IP litigation practice relates to all forms of intellectual property and a wide range of industries.
Qualifications:• BSc Human Genetics,
Nottingham University• Post-graduate Diploma in
Law and LPC, Nottingham Law School
• Diploma in Intellectual Property Law & Practice, University of Bristol
• Solicitor in England & Wales
Geoff HusseyPartner, Solicitor
2016
“Following the arrival of IP litigator Geoff Hussey, who joined from Bird & Bird LLP, the team is increasingly handling high-stakes contentious patent cases.”Legal 500
Some of Geoff’s notable cases include:• EMI v BSkyB (NOW TV trade
mark infringement)• easyGroup v easyJet (airline
brand licence dispute)• ScanSafe v MessageLabs
(internet scanning software reverse passing off)
• Smith & Nephew v ConvaTec (wound dressing patent validity/infringement)
Sarah is a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and European Trade Mark and Designs Attorney. Sarah handles trade marks, designs and copyright in the UK, EU and worldwide.
Sarah advises on all types of trade mark matters from the inception of a brand and checking its availability to obtaining registrations, commercialisation of rights and enforcement of rights in opposition actions, cancellation actions and litigation.
Sarah also deals with domain name registrations, purchases and complaints, as well as customs and counterfeit issues. Sarah advises both domestic and international clients, in industry sectors such as food & beverages, luxury goods, agriculture, gaming and sports.
Qualifications:• BA Hons English Literature, Selwyn
College, Cambridge• Certificate in Intellectual Property, Queen
Mary College, University of London• Qualified as a UK Chartered Trade Mark
attorney in 2010• European Trade Mark and designs
attorney
Sarah Darby
Partner, Trade Mark Attorney
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Copyright• Design Rights• Domain disputes
and acquisition
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Nidhi Mukhuty is a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and European Trade Mark and Designs Attorney handling trade mark, design and copyright cases for clients in a diverse range of industries, with a particular focus on the clothing, food & beverages, oil & gas, hospitality, finance, automotive and publishing industry sectors.
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Design Rights• Copyright
Louise Foster is a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and European Trade Mark and Designs Attorney handling trade marks, copyright and domain name cases in the UK, EU and overseas. Louise’s client base operates in sectors such as fashion & clothing, food & beverages, travel, and also includes providers of software products and solutions applied across a range of industries.
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Copyright• Design Rights• Domain
disputes and acquisition
Nidhi MukhutyAssociate, Trade Mark Attorney
Louise FosterSenior Associate, Trade Mark Attorney
Qualifications:• BSc in Chemistry & Botany, India• Postgraduate Certificate in Trade
Mark Law and Practice, Queen Mary, University of London
• Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice, Nottingham Law School
• Advocate in India• UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney• European Trade Mark and Designs
Attorney
Qualifications:• BA Jt Hons German & Russian,
University of Nottingham• Postgraduate Certificate in Trade
Mark Law and Practice, Queen Mary, University of London
• Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice, Nottingham Law School
• UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney• European Trade Mark and Designs
Attorney
Sarah Neil is a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and European Trade Mark and Designs Attorney. Sarah’s clients operate in industry sectors such as fashion, telecommunications and travel and tourism.
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Design Rights• Copyright• Domain Names
disputes
Suzanne PowerAssociate, Trade Mark Attorney
Sarah NeilAssociate, Trade Mark Attorney
Suzanne Power is a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and European Trade Mark and Designs Attorney. Suzanne’s clients operate in industry sectors such as fashion, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, finance and food & beverages.
Practice areas:• Trade Marks• Design Rights• Copyright
Qualifications:• BA Hons French & Linguistics, Jesus
College, University of Oxford• Postgraduate Certificate in Trade
Mark Law and Practice, Queen Mary, University of London
• Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice, Nottingham Law School
• UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney• European Trade Mark and Designs
Attorney
Qualifications:• BA Hons Law, University of Cambridge• Postgraduate Certificate in Trade
Mark Law and Practice, Queen Mary, University of London
• Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice, Nottingham Law School
• UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney• European Trade Mark and Designs
Attorney
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Varuni ParanavitaneIP Litigation Associate, Solicitor
Varuni is an IP solicitor advising on trade mark, design, copyright and patent matters. She has IP experience in a variety of industry sectors including fashion, life sciences, digital media, sports and food. Varuni’s practice also includes non-contentious brands advisory work, enforcement strategy, settlement and co-existence strategy advice as well as advice in relation to commercial transactions.
Some of Varuni’s notable cases include:• Radley v Poundworld (IPEC)• Catchup TV v Gzero (High
Court)• Natures Way v Natures
Way Ltd (IPEC)• Group Lotus PLC v
1Malaysia Racing Team (High Court
Qualifications:• BSc, Imperial College• PhD, King’s College,
Cambridge• LLB, College of Law• PGDip in Intellectual
Property Law and Practice, Oxford University
• Qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales in September 2011
a fantastic resource which you can rely on totally
for trademark matters in Europe
– Extract from the World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000
More about our services and expertise
Our patent attorneys have a wealth of experience in all aspects of patent law, and can advise across a wide and diverse range of technical areas.
• Chemistry, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals• Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Telecoms & IT• Engineering, Physics & Mechanical Devices
Whether you are a sole inventor or large corporation, protecting your ideas is vital. Our European and UK Patent Attorneys can act on your behalf, presenting your case to the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO), the European Patent Office (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO). Thanks to our network of associates overseas, we can advise on different patent laws and protect or defend you anywhere in the world.
Patents
Our patent and trade mark attorneys regularly advise on IP portfolio management, with a focus on alignment with each client’s overall corporate objectives and strategy.
We understand the need to review expenditure, IP asset value and portfolio management decisions on a regular basis, and to check alignment with the current business objectives and market conditions. We approach this with a desire to understand your business needs and to provide a solution that achieves your objectives efficiently and cost-effectively.
Trade Mark, Design & Copyright Portfolio Management
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We regularly advise clients in relation to commercialising their IP. When entering into negotiations for contracts involving IP it is important that clients’ interests are protected and that the appropriate rights are secured in the transaction.
We have the experience and focus to help guide you through what is a technical legal area to achieve a result that meets your commercial aims for all of your non-contentious IP requirements.
Our services include:• Drafting assignments and licences• IP contract reviews• IP due diligence• IP audits• Developing IP ownership and licensing structures• Dispute settlement agreements• Recording transactions at Intellectual Property Offices
IP Transactions, Ownership & Licensing
We will work with you to put in place effective strategies for the protection and commercialisation of your intellectual property (IP).
Our services include:• IP audits• IP due diligence• IP portfolio management and maintenance advice• Project reviews to identify potential IP• Strategy reviews• IP Litigation strategic advice• Marketplace and competitor surveillance• Advice on upcoming Unified Patent Court opt-outs• Parallel imports – advice, reviews, procedures
IP Strategy & Audits
We have considerable experience advising clients in relation to commercial due diligence activities across the full spectrum of intellectual property (IP) rights. Clients value our commercial focus and attention to detail in helping them to evaluate and realise new business opportunities.
Our services include:• IP due diligence for clients seeking to commercialise their own IP• IP due diligence for clients seeking to acquire third party IP• Freedom-to-operate or freedom-to-use assessments
IP Due Diligence & Freedom to Operate or Freedom to Use
Our IP litigation and legal department advises on all aspects of IP law. Our experience and expertise ranges from dealing with small IP disputes (often resolved in negotiation), to hard-fought high-value IP litigation and coordinating parallel actions in other jurisdictions.
Our litigation approach is, where appropriate, for IP solicitors to work closely with our patent or trade mark attorneys to provide a coordinated approach to both enforcement and protection – ensuring the best possible resolution of IP disputes. The strength of our collective technical expertise also ensures that we can understand the necessary complexities involved in each case.
Our services include:• IP portfolio and litigation strategies• Patent litigation• Trade mark, copyright and design right litigation• Arbitration and mediation• Licensing disputes• Coordinating with local counsel in parallel actions around the world• Settlement advice
IP Litigation
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London Office10 Old Bailey,London, EC4M 7NGT +44 (0) 20 7405 4044F +44 (0) 20 7405 3580
aathornton.com
The information in this booklet is general information only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. If you wish to explore protection and associated costs for any of the types of intellectual property discussed, please contact one of our patent, trade mark or design attorneys. September 2018.
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